ASK Wellness says it will operate 24-hour warming stations during cold snap

Photo: Contributed

ASK Wellness says it will operate a pair of temporary 24-hour warming stations next week — one downtown and another on the North Shore — with the forecast predicting overnight lows that could reach negative double digits.

The agency said it made the move, in part, because the city’s two emergency winter shelters are not yet operating after CMHA-Kamloops opted out of operating the facilities at the last minute.

“These warming stations will be located at our Crossroads Inn building, 569 Seymour St., and at our Spero House building, 317 Tranquille Rd.,” ASK Wellness said in a news release on Friday afternoon.

“The stations will be open from Monday, Nov. 7, to Friday, Nov. 11, and will operate 24 hour per day, contingent upon staffing and capacity.”

CMHA’s decision not to operate the two downtown shelters — one inside the Stuart Wood gymnasium and the other at the Yacht Club on River Street — sent BC Housing and city staffers scrambling to find a new operator. The shelters had been slated to open on Nov. 1.

The Loop opened an unofficial overnight shelter on Thursday night and housed 25 people. Organizer Glenn Hilke said that number includes some overflow clients from packed city shelters.

ASK Wellness was one of a number of agencies in Kamloops and the Okanagan to sign an open letter Friday about the state of winter shelters in the Interior. The letter, sent to mayors and councils, as well as BC Housing and Interior Health, called for more resources to help set up more robust shelter facilities.

According to ASK Wellness, staff will be connecting with people on the street and making sure everyone has access to a warm place.

“Outreach staff will be supporting those who are unsheltered and assisting them in getting into a safe shelter or warming station,” the news release said.

ASK Wellness said it is accepting donations of new or used blankets and winter clothing, which can be dropped off at either warming centre location or at ASK’s office at 433 Tranquille Rd.